Lucasfilm

Rogue One made impressive effort not just to tie into the original Star Wars films, but also the animated Star Wars Rebels in at least three instances. We’ll even meet a younger Rogue One character on Rebels in 2017, though the film’s visual guide might also tease another Rogue favorite making an animated debut at some point in the series.

In a world where Marvel can’t seem to get their TV and movie branches to cooperate, Star Wars managed to delight fans of either medium with back-and-forth appearances for Star Wars Rebels and Rogue One. Now, a Lucasfilm story group member speaks out on the interplay between the two, teasing “Rebels and Rogue One are all just the start of a larger strategy.”

With Rogue One in theaters now (go go go!), fans are already turning their attention to the next round of Star Wars movies because pop culture isn’t about what’s new — it’s about what’s next. Lucky for you, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has a couple of brief updates on the next installments in the franchise: Episode VIII and the Han Solo spinoff. It’s just enough to keep you satisfied until Monday, probably, when someone else will undoubtedly say something interesting about the Star Wars franchise.

ILMxLAB, an offshoot of Lucasfilm, has been quietly experimenting with new ways of storytelling for the virtual reality age recently, from an augmented reality video featuring C-3PO and R2-D2 to plans for a Darth Vader-centric VR story. Now, ahead of Rogue One’s premiere, the company has partnered with Verizon to unveil a new “360 experience” entitled Rogue One: Recon. (For best results, watch the above video on your tablet or phone.)

The force is very strong with Disney and Lucasfilm’s legal department — or at least one would assume, which is why it’s probably not a good idea to infringe on their trademarked properties, especially Star Wars. But that’s exactly what one enterprising business owner did when he started the Lightsaber Academy, which is now the target of a lawsuit filed by Lucasfilm late last week.

As often as a seventh Star Wars movie seemed like a lost hope, TV fans have wondered if the franchise would ever make good on a live-action TV series to further the brand. Time and time again, rumors have spread, while the latest sees ABC bosses acknowledging they’d love to host one, and still talk to Lucasfilm about the possibility.

NERDS UNITE! I almost passed out when I read the incredible news...thats right kids! Star Wars is coming to Disney World...and Land!!! This Jedi is so freakin excited I can't stand it!! Two of my most favorite things in the world are officially coming together, you know besides that official part when Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012...