Re-Porter Blog: Countdown to The Last Jedi Part 1

Breathe...Just...Breathe. Now look at your calendar. REMEMBER TO BREATHE!!!! Your eyes do not deceive you. We are literally only a few days away from the release of Star Wars The Last Jedi. Two years of waiting are almost over as we prepare to embark on the next chapter in the new trilogy. A lot has happened since the release of The Force Awakens and in part one of our Last Jedi prep series, We'll rundown what has been happening in the Star Wars universe since the franchise returned to prominence almost two years ago.

A Force To Be Reckoned With

Star Wars roared back into the pop culture scene with an unprecedented box office haul. The movie became a cultural phenomenon breaking record after record eventually becoming the highest grossing domestic release of all time. The new era of the epic space opera returned stronger and more relevant than ever before.

Welcome to Episode 8!!!

Shortly after the release of The Force Awakens, production commenced on the next chapter in the trilogy. Rian Johnson, who would write and direct the film, started production in early 2016 returning to the iconic location of Skellig Michael Island to essentially pick up where the last film left off. Johnson kick started the journey of episode VIII that weirdly is only just a few days away.

We have a mission for You!!!

As fans eagerly awaited the release of Episode VIII, they didn't have to wait long to return to a galaxy far far away. In April 2016, Lucasfilm released the first footage of the inaugural Star Wars spinoff film Rogue One. The film marked the first time a cinematic Star Wars movie didn't focus on the Skywalkers. A bold new direction by Lucasfilm signaling a willingness to take the series in bold new directions. 

The New Blood

As the production of Episode VIII continued, casting was still very much a priority. The film brought  three actors to portray new characters in the upcoming second chapter. Two of which were veteran actors Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro and the other being newcomer Kelly Marie Tran. The trio would come in to bring in fresh faces to the new trilogy. We'll have more on these three later in the week.

Rebels Rising 

Besides the films, another Star Wars experience was on the cusp of its own reinvigoration. The third season of Star Wars Rebels saw the return of fan favorites including the return of one of the most beloved characters in the old canon Grand Admiral Thrawn. Anticipation built for the new season as Rebels continued to deliver authentic Star Wars action on a weekly basis.

Scoundrel Search

Among the other projects on Lucasfilm's radar was a spin off film focusing on Han Solo. After an exhaustive search that included thousands of actors, the team found their guy in Alden Ehrenreich. A young and versatile actor would now be tasked with portraying one of pop cultures most beloved characters. A tall task for a young man looking to make his mark in Hollywood.

A Rebellion Built on Hope

On December 2016, the release of Rogue One A Star Wars Story had arrived. A visceral and thrilling Star Wars adventure delivered a plethora of Star Wars goodness including gritty action, iconic new characters, and THE GREATEST DARTH VADER SCENE EVER PUT ON FILM!!!!! A authentic Star Wars Experience that gave fans a glimpse of what was to come.

We Got A Title!!! 

As 2017 began, the new year brought new beginnings, new resolutions, and THE OFFICIAL TITLE OF EPISODE 8!!! In mid January, Lucasfilm unveiled the title of the next chapter in the new trilogy which we now know as Star Wars The Last Jedi. Speculation and excitement rose as the countdown to TLJ had officially begun.

This is where the fun begins 

Shortly afterwards, production on the Han Solo movie had commenced with Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller and actors Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, and Thandie Newton as the central cast. The film would unfortunately go through trials and tribulations but eventually finish with optimism and a new director. More on that later. 

It's So Much Bigger

Star Wars Celebration 2017 was arguably the most anticipated Star Wars party of the year. Not only because of the 40th Anniversary of the franchise but it was the day the first official trailer of Star Wars The Last Jedi would release. The footage showed off Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren as well as giving fans small glimpses of what would come from the sequel.

Smugglers Shift

The Han Solo movie hit a pretty big snag with the shocking announcement that Phil Lord and Chris Miller were relieved of directing duties on the spin-off film. Shortly afterward, the replacement stepped in to finish the project. Director Ron Howard oversaw the rest of production and was able to complete filming within the production deadline. The film's title was also revealed shortly after principal photography completed with the movie being titled Solo A Star Wars Story.

The Edge of the Galaxy

Aside from the film releases, another huge Star Wars project was preparing to take fans into a galaxy far far away like never before. At this year's D23 Expo, Disney Parks revealed more information on their highly anticipated Star Wars expansion that will come to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park in California. This included not only a massive model of the 14-acre expansion but the official name of the expansion now known as Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. Set to open in 2019, Galaxy's Edge looks to bring the world of Star Wars to life in the most magical way possible.

Return of the JJ

Although Star Wars The Last Jedi was deep in post-production, work was still required to prepare for Star Wars Episode 9. After the firing of then director Colin Trevorrow, Lucasfilm handed directorial duties of the film over to Star Wars The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams. No stranger to big-budget Hollywood films or the Star Wars brand, JJ is now tasked with concluding the new trilogy on a high note.

A New Hope

The big moves by Lucasfilm didn't stop there. As Star Wars The Last Jedi came closer to release, Lucasfilm happily announced that director Rian Johnson would oversee the development of a brand new Star Wars trilogy in the late future. The trilogy is said to be set in an area of the Star Wars Galaxy that has been untouched and will feature new characters and a new setting parallel to the Skywalker Saga. Such an incredible show of faith in a director that clearly has a franchise moving in the right direction.

Fulfill your Destiny

In October, the anticipation for the second installment of the new trilogy hit a fever pitch with the release of the second trailer for The Last Jedi. Showcasing footage of Luke Skywalker, Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren, the new footage displayed a much darker and seemingly complex Star Wars experience. Though many fans continue to speculate and predict what the film will bring, misdirection and uncertainty surround the film leaving many unsure of what is to come. In other words, to quote Luke Skywalker: "This is not going to go the way you think."






A lot has happened since Star Wars The Force Awakens was released 2 years ago. With only a few short days left until Episode 8 hits theaters, the wait is nearly over as we prepared to return to a galaxy far, far away.

 Next Time on Countdown to the Last Jedi

In part two of our Last Jedi prep series, we will recap some of the best moments featuring our favorite heroes from the The Force Awakens and speculate where we may find them as we begin The Last Jedi.