This week, we have a final date for Hyperspace Mountain, material for binge watching and the most exciting things in dirt that Disney has to offer.

But first, breaking news…

New Rogue One Trailer!

Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Oh, boy!

After the Sizzle Reel we got at Celebration a couple weeks ago, we didn’t expect to see the trailer so soon. But NBC teased us with the announcement Sunday that the new trailer would debut during the Olympics telecast Thursday night. That was followed on Tuesday by a teaser for the trailer being released online:

So we got a commercial for a commercial. Ok…without any more teasing, hear it is:

Rebels And The Force Awakens

 

Rebels S3

Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels will have a one-hour premier on Saturday September 24. Thrawn will make his first appearance in that episode.

If you want to catch up on the show, Season 2 will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray August 30.

Star Wars Rebels – Complete Season Two

And…just announced this week, there will a 3D Collectors Edition home video release for The Force Awakens with a bunch of new features and more deleted scenes.

FA DVD

Fab News has all the details for these releases HERE.

Star Wars TV Series?

Last week, shock waves hit the interwebs with news from the Television Critics Association that ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey was in “Active Conversations” with Lucasfilm about a Star Wars live action series.

No specifics were given about what a Star Wars TV series would be about, but there was instantly speculation that this could be a revival of Star Wars Underworld (and the related video game 1313) being developed by Lucasfilm prior to the sale to Disney.

A Little Background…

At Star Wars Celebration 2005, George Lucas announced that he was developing a Live-Action television series called Underworld that takes place between Episode III and IV. His plan was to write 100 episodes prior to shoot and hired a staff of writers to get to work. After 50 episodes were scripted, he put the project on hold because he thought it would be too expensive to produce.The story was to take place in the underworld of the planet Coruscant (where the Emperor held court and the Jedi Temple stood) and would not feature any major Star Wars film characters.A video game called 1313 (for the level on Courscant where it takes place) was developed as a tie-in to the series, much like what ILM xLabs are trying to develop for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universes. When Underworld got shelved, 1313 was altered to be a distinct project that was later scraped after the sale to Disney.

Season Of The Force Hits The Final Stretch

With the return of Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy for Halloween Time at Disneyland, Hyperspace Mountain will blast away the day after Labor Day. September 5 will be the last day. It is not known if the Star Wars overlay will return after Halloween or go back to the classic Space Mountain. Since it’s introduction last November, it’s been the most popular attraction in Disneyland. Let’s take a quick look around Tomorrowland

Expect to see the extra signage around Tomorrowland take flight as well.
Expect to see the extra signage around Tomorrowland take flight as well.

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Hyperspace Mountain wasn’t operating at Rope Drop this week. Having the most popular ride in the park down left many people disappointed.
Hyperspace Mountain wasn’t operating at Rope Drop this week. Having the most popular ride in the park down left many people disappointed.

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When Launch Bay opens at 10, there is usually a small crowd waiting for the character meet and greets. Once that happens, there isn’t much of a flock to the building.
When Launch Bay opens at 10, there is usually a small crowd waiting for the character meet and greets. Once that happens, there isn’t much of a flock to the building.

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New Merchandise

Here’s a look at some new stuff in the park this week.

Chewbacca mugs @ outdoor vending.
Chewbacca mugs @ outdoor vending.
Full-sized First Order Trooper @ Launch Bay.
Full-sized First Order Trooper @ Launch Bay.
Just in case you were wondering…
Just in case you were wondering…
Boushh painting @ Launch Bay.
Boushh painting @ Launch Bay.
Kylo Ren painting @ Launch Bay.
Kylo Ren painting @ Launch Bay.
Slave 1 painting @ Launch Bay.
Slave 1 painting @ Launch Bay.
First Order Snowtrooper Figure @ Launch Bay.
First Order Snowtrooper Figure @ Launch Bay.
Darth Vader Figure @ Launch Bay.
Darth Vader Figure @ Launch Bay.
Rey costume @ Star Trader.
Rey costume @ Star Trader.
Obey the rules!
Obey the rules!
Why do these R2-D2 mugs @ Star Trader look like Minions?
Why do these R2-D2 mugs @ Star Trader look like Minions?
Dooney & Bourke bags @ Star Trader.
Dooney & Bourke bags @ Star Trader.

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Star Wars Land Construction

Lots of rebar going up signals a bunch of walls going up along the River’s of America. Let’s dive in…

At the north end of Star Wars Land, the nicknamed Dirt Star is slowly but surely being chipped away.

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The Dirt Star is being vanquished one truckload at a time.
The Dirt Star is being vanquished one truckload at a time.
I-beams behind Fantasyland Theater line the future path of the Disneyland Railroad as it weaves around SWL to the Fantasyland Station.
I-beams behind Fantasyland Theater line the future path of the Disneyland Railroad as it weaves around SWL to the Fantasyland Station.
From the Big Thunder side, the beams tower in the background.
From the Big Thunder side, the beams tower in the background.

Moving over to the northeast side of SWL, the first wall to go up looks to be getting some grading at the base. Is this for landscaping along the train route?

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And…what could be our first look at the Fantasyland/Big Thunder entrance to SWL. Is this the first part of the archway?

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In the area behind Big Thunder Mountain, things are going vertical fast. Cement walls are taking shape in the spot we expect to have the Fantasmic backstage coming of the river.

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Trucks are pumping cement into forms.
Trucks are pumping cement into forms.
This looks like the opening to the backstage from the river.
This looks like the opening to the backstage from the river.

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This odd formation is taking shape on the banks of the new river.
This odd formation is taking shape on the banks of the new river.

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From the Big Thunder side, work is happening real close to the ride.
From the Big Thunder side, work is happening real close to the ride.
Also from BTM, work being done on the old Big Thunder Trail leading to the new entrance to SWL.
Also from BTM, work being done on the old Big Thunder Trail leading to the new entrance to SWL.

The east side of Tom Sawyer’s Island, construction is going at a more deliberate pace.

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From the Hungry Bear Restaurant, a peek looking north.
From the Hungry Bear Restaurant, a peek looking north.

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Crews are working behind the restaurant on what will be the train path and access road for the backstage.
Crews are working behind the restaurant on what will be the train path and access road for the backstage.

The backstage access road will go along the perimeter of the fence on the west side. There is a flurry of new activity on this side of SWL. And it looks like we may be seeing the beginning of a new show building taking shape.

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Work on the utilities under the access road.
Work on the utilities under the access road.

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A week ago, these I-beams were stacked here. Now they are being driven into the ground.
A week ago, these I-beams were stacked here. Now they are being driven into the ground.
Looks like they are being laid out for the pad of a show building.
Looks like they are being laid out for the pad of a show building.
Might we see this area being excavated soon?
Might we see this area being excavated soon?

That’s it for this week. Check back for more construction updates on Monday’s Disneyland Photo Update.

May the Force be with you!