Tag: COVID-19
Disney Releasing Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back to UK Cinemas in July
Variety.com have revealed that Disney will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with a UK cinematic release in 4K exclusively at VUE Cinemas. The release has been timed to help boost UK cinemas when they reopen next month.
ReedPOP Postpone Emerald City Comic Con Till 2021
COVID-19 had already caused the postponement of Emerald City Comic Con 2020 from March till August, and now ReedPOP have taken the decision to move it again till March 2021.
Ewan McGregor Discusses the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series with ACE Universe
Ewan McGregor talks to ACE Universe about his work, COVID-19 and the as yet untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series coming to Disney+.
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite – Officially Postponed
After the cancellation of Star Wars Celebrations earlier today, Disney have officially postponed Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite due to take place on the first night of Celebration on August 27th, 2020.
Virgin Atlantic’s Millennium Falcon Design 747 Makes its Final Flight
Today saw the final flight of the Virgin Atlantic 747 plane which carries the famous Star Wars Millennium Falcon design.
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2020: Postponed Till 2022
Star Wars Celebration 2020 has been cancelled, but will return in August 2022 at the same venue in Anaheim.
Disneyland and California Adventure Proposed Reopening on July 17th
Sixty-five years to the date after the historic opening of Disneyland park, Disney are planning to reopen Disneyland and California Adventure on July 17th, 2020.
Virgin Atlantic Flights from UK to Orlando to Resume in July
With a reduction in the number of aircraft, and no 747's as part of their fleet, the leaner Virgin Atlantic will resume flights to Orlando, and other destinations, from Heathrow in July.
Funko Lay Off 250 Employees Due to COVID-19 Fallout
Funko has reported its consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31st 2019, posting a 16% increase in net sales to $795.1m.
Kylo Ren Comic Artist Creates Childrens Face Masks for easyJet
Will Sliney has been a champion for childrens education and creativity during lockdown, and has now created face mask designs for children who will use easyJet flights.
Lockdown Colouring: And the Winners Are….
The Judges have deliberated long and hard over your entries and we are pleased to announce our winners.
Stormtroopers Invade Disney Springs to Ensure Social Distancing Measures are Maintained
Whilst Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge remains closed on both US coasts, First Order Stormtroopers have been redeployed to the recently opened Disney Springs in Orlando to ensure social distancing measures are maintained.
LEGO Star Wars Has an Important Message About Social Distancing
The LEGO Star Wars YouTube channel has released a video of Luke Skywalker explaining to R2-D2 how he uses a deflector shield to protect himself and others from harmful viruses.
Phased Reopening of Walt Disney World Starts July 11th, Disneyland Soon After
Walt Disney World has presented its plans for a phased reopening, and Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom will reopen from July 11th with EPCOT and Hollywood Studios a few days later on July 15th.
IDW Reveals Comic Book Schedule for Summer 2020
We have had an update from IDW Publishing detailing their revised summer 2020 release schedule.
The LEGO Store at Disney Springs Reopening on May 27th
Following the reopening of Disney Springs last week, LEGO fans will be pleased to know that the Disney Springs store will reopen tomorrow morning at 11am.
California Governor Approves Stage 2 Reopening, Disneyland is Stage 4
California Governor Gavin Newsom approved Stage 2 of the gradual reopening plan for the state, allowing a large variety of local businesses to reopen and perhaps some shops at the Downtown Disney District too.
Kiran Shah’s United Poetry Reading for GOSH’s Emergency Appeal
Kiran Shah, Brethupp in Return of the Jed and most recently Nambi Ghima in The Rise of Skywalker, has brought together some Star Wars alumni to read a poem he wrote, called United, to help raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Order Stay Safe R2-KT and The Child Inspired Challenge Coin
R2-KT’s man servant Al gives us the lowdown on a new challenge coin based on the Stay Safe patch done for May 4th, with proceeds to benefit the United Way Covid-19 Relief Fund.
REMINDER: Competition – Lockdown Colouring
You only have until midnight BST on Friday, May 22nd 2020 to send in your entry for the Jedi News Lockdown colouring competition.
UPDATED: Charles Lippincott Has Passed Away
Charles Lippincott, who was the advertising publicity supervisor for Star Wars, Alien, Flash Gordon and many others, has died from complications due to COVID-19.
MCM Comic Con Announce Cancellation of Summer 2020 UK Events
The sad, but inevitable news has reached us that MCM Comic Con have cancelled their summer events in the UK.
Clark Gregg Reads The Witch and the Wookiee from Myths and Fables
Clark Gregg, better known as Agent Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been reading a short story from Star Wars: Myths and Fables by George Mann.
Vice President Mike Pence to Discuss Theme Park Reopening Plans in Orlando
This Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Orlando to meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss Florida’s phased economic reopening, including Walt Disney World and the many theme parks in the area.
Latest Rancho Obi-Wan Newsletter and Virtual Museum Open!
Here is the latest newsletter from our friends at Rancho Obi-Wan including the launch of their new Virtual Museum.
How UK Toy Store The Entertainer is Fighting to Stay Afloat
The Entertainer has seen sales dive by 75% after being forced to close all its stores due to COVID-19, and has subsequently changed their business model to become online-only.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Making Masks for South LA
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is partnering with LA-based artists and artisans to sew 1,500 masks for local organizations in immediate need.
Mandalorian Mercs: MercsConline May 22nd – 24th
The Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club have announced an online event called MercsConline on 22nd to 24th May, in aid of UNICEF.
Season Two of The Mandalorian Debuting in October, Despite COVID-19
Season 2 of The Mandalorian wrapped filming before the outbreak took hold, and whilst post production continues Bob Chapek has confirmed to CNBC that the show will return as scheduled to Disney+ in October.
Mark Hamill and Lucasfilm Thank COVID-19 Workers
The Force is truly with you, and we salute you.
San Diego Comic-Con Teases Virtual #ComicConAtHome Convention For 2020
Looks like SDCC will be part of the 2020 convention season after all.
Competition – Lockdown Colouring
We have four copies of the Star Wars: The Secrets of the Jedi by Marc Sumarek to give away courtesy of Insight Editions in our droid colouring competition.
Disney Springs Begins Phased Reopening on May 20th
Following guidance by government and health officials, a phased reopening of Disney Springs will begin on May 20th with a limited number of shopping and dining experiences owned by third-parties open during this initial phase.
Shanghai Disneyland Begins Phased Reopening on May 11th
Shanghai Disneyland will begin a phased reopening on May 11th. It is likely that Disney will learn lessons from this reopening and certain procedures may make there way to Disneyland and Walt Disney World when they reopen.
Virgin Atlantic’s 747 Fleet Retired, Includes Galaxy’s Edge Inspired The Falcon
Virgin Atlantic is reducing its fleet from 45 to 36 planes and retiring all 747's including The Falcon that was inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. A third of the workforce is being laid off and operations from Gatwick airport have ended.