This week we’re going to take a look at the reactions to the new Rogue One trailer, take a look inside the editing bay for Episode VIII and see what exactly is going on with those I-beams.

Rogue One Trailer Reactions

Last week during the Olympics we got the premiere of the new Rogue One trailer. After a day of circulation on both highly regarded blogs (ahem) and everyone posting to their Facebook page (I did that, too), the trailer got over 34 million views!

Fan reactions have been all over the Internet this week. But none has be more impressive than Kylo Ren’s reaction to the Rouge One trailer as you will see below:

Star Wars Alert took the opportunity to take footage from both domestic trailers, the international trailer, the sizzle reel from Celebration and some dialog from the Star Wars Radio Drama (if that wasn’t enough) to build a super trailer of all the footage we have so far. Here it is:

Episode VIII Begins Post Production

Director Rian Johnson posts some great stuff on his Instagram account. This week as he started editing the next installment of the Skywalker saga he posted this little gem:

Day one!

A photo posted by Rian Johnson (@riancjohnson) on

 

 

John Williams To Score Episode VIII

A Capitol Fourth 2014 Independence Day Concert Rehearsals

It was a sign of relief this week when 84 year-old John Williams announce he would return to score Star Wars: Episode VIII. He told the crowd gathered to see the Boston Pops that he accepted the invitation from Lucasfilm because he “was enchanted by actress Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Rey and does not want another composer scoring her scenes.

Star Wars Cantina Coming To Hollywood

 

Scum And Villany

The Mos Eisley Cantina from A New Hope is becoming a pop-up restaurant in Hollywood. No details on where the temporary restaurant will be but reservations for this immersive experience are coming soon. You can find out more on their website HERE.

Hyperspace Mountain’s Final Days

The last chance to experience the Star Wars overlay for Space Mountain will be Labor Day, September 5. After that, the ride will close to install the Ghost Galaxy overlay for Halloween Time at Disneyland. As the crowds diminish while kids go back to school, it’s a great time to get in one last journey.

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After the initial rope drop rush, getting a Fastpass was no problem.
After the initial rope drop rush, getting a Fastpass is no problem.

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New Merchandise In The Park

Here’s a look at some new and cool finds in the park this week.

C-3PO shoes @ Star Trader
C-3PO shoes @ Star Trader
Toddler onesies @ Star Trader
Toddler onesies @ Star Trader
Dooney & Bourke bags @ Star Trader
Dooney & Bourke bags @ Star Trader

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Poster coffee mugs @ Star Trader
Poster coffee mugs @ Star Trader
Yoda painting @ Launch Bay
Yoda painting @ Launch Bay
Dreams of Hoth paining @ Launch Bay
Dreams of Hoth paining @ Launch Bay
R2 in battle paining @ Launch Bay
R2 in battle paining @ Launch Bay
Riot Trooper and Finn set figures @ Launch Bay
Riot Trooper and Finn set figures @ Launch Bay
The Kylo Ren figure @ Launch Bay
The Kylo Ren figure @ Launch Bay

 

Gone Hollywood

Looks like DCA finally has a destination for Star Wars merchandise. Gone Hollywood, across from Off The Page, on Hollywood Blvd is the spot. This store is half SW merchandise and half Marvel.

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This may not be SW related, but I thought this Black Widow girls costume was pretty cool.
This may not be SW related, but I thought this Black Widow girls costume was pretty cool.

 

Star Wars Land Construction

In the north end of the construction site, the Dirt Star has a little more shaved off the top.

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But I think we can see now why it’s diminishing so slowly. That dirt is being used for other parts of the site. What we can see this week it that dirt is being used to fill in along the new train route. The I-beams driven into the ground are being used to form a retaining wall that leads right around to the Fantasyland Train Station.

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What looked like just landscaping last week has turned into a big fill this week. Trucks are moving dirt over to the existing concrete wall and starting to fill in where the I-beams are being stacked with wood lagging. This will eventually fill the space between all the beams around that corner. The train will go between this and the concrete wall behind the Fantasyland Theater.

Notice the wood lagging between the beams in the bottom left corner.
Notice the wood lagging between the beams in the bottom left corner.

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A view of that spot from Big Thunder Mountain.
A view of that spot from Big Thunder Mountain.

And the archway we pointed out last week looks like it is being constructed to be underneath the train tracks. This is going to be an elevated track and that seems the most likely place for it to cross over a pathway.

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Let’s see how much this area gets filled in next week.

Around the Rivers Of America location, rebar is getting prepped to become the concrete walls which will form the top of the river and the Fantasmic backstage area.

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Over by the Hungry Bear Restaurant, we can see the train path start to form on the other side.

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The path where the train will come out from behind the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
The path where the train will come out from behind the Hungry Bear Restaurant.

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On the west side, the area that will become the backstage access road is moving along nicely.

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And the I-beams we saw being driven into the ground last week are getting the wood lagging and excavation has begun.

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Is this one of the show buildings?

Check out the Disneyland Photo Update on Monday and here every Friday to watch the progress. Thanks for joining us today. As always, remember…

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