The Holidays just got interesting…
It has finally happened! A sequel to the infamous 1979 Star Wars Holiday Special! The NEW Holiday Special will be in the very popular LEGO format and premiere on Disney+ on November 17th. Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams and Antony Daniels will also be returning to voice their famous characters for the special!
Let’s hope that LEGO can redeem the Star Wars-verse from the “dark times”.
From the press release:
“Disney+ is bringing together some of the brightest stars in the Star Wars galaxy for the ultimate holiday family reunion, the “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special.” Today the streaming service also gave fans a first look at key art for the special, set to premiere on Tuesday, November 17, also known as the fan-favorite holiday Life Day first introduced in the 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
Franchise stars reprising their roles in the “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” include Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Billy Dee Williams (“Lando Calrissian”), Anthony Daniels (“C-3PO”), as well as “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” vets Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Dee Bradley Baker (clone troopers).
“The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day. Rey sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?
“The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” is a production of Atomic Cartoons, the LEGO Group, and Lucasfilm. It is directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who is also co-executive producer. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jason Cosler, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producers.”
Related Article: Remembering the Star Wars Holiday Special
I remember watching the original holiday special as a kid in awe and excitement! This was before the days of video, internet and Netflix, so there was no ability to see your favorite heroes on the big screen a million times like we can now on several mediums. You would get your fill any way you could through toys, books, and TV.
Fresh off the release of A New Hope, CBS was quick to capitalize on the Star Wars hype. Unfortunately, it was with this special.
The special is about the journey home for Chewbacca to be with his family on “Life Day”. He is accompanied by his friend, Han Solo – who is actually played by Harrison Ford in this! They run into trouble along the way with the Empire and the story begins. There is even a singing appearance (YES! I said singing) from Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Mark Hamill shows up as Luke Skywalker.
While the 1979 holiday special is universally rejected by most fans (and the actors that starred in it!), I do think it is an interesting look at a time in history and a lesson to George Lucas to keep a better watch on his beloved creation.
May the Force be with us all this holiday season!
